NAML is demanding answers from the EPA. Here is why:
The public is concerned about the magnitude of impact that the massive BESS fire had, and may have long-term, on them and the environment.
The EPA’s recent presentation to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors failed to characterize the massive “release” of contaminated smoke and vapor into the environment, nor the quantity of population exposed to that release, nor the size & duration of the smoke release.
The EPA failed to follow its procedure to provide a “site characterization” before scoping its remedial action plan & before starting clean up.
The EPA did not provide any contamination characterization of ANY pollution on the Vistra Energy burn site. A person listening to the EPA presentation, who had not lived thru the fire and smoke RELEASE, would walk away believing the incident was a one day fire – no pollution – no big thing.
But it was a damn big thing! It was the biggest release of pollution from the largest indoor ion-battery BESS in America, And the EPA failed in the briefing to inform the BoS and the public of how well the EPA directed air and surface sampling INSIDE THE FENCE of the burn site to characterize the pollution situation.
The EPA’s report provided no proof of the type and size of contamination released prior to cleanup beginning. For example the 700-foot-long pile of residue ash and burned batteries.
The EPA reported as if . . nothing to see here folks. No harm to be concerned about from this fire 🔥
However, had the EPA directed that during “battery delinking” that one or two of the employees sent into the burn area to pick up a handful of black residue, on the way out, and put it in a sample bag — then some proof of contamination would be available to the public.
